Agyei (2005), in his social survey contended that values and beliefs play a significant role in the decision and motivation, to follow a health care regimen. This percept allows the person to determine what choices to make when faced with alternatives. To review attitude toward family planning utilization among women of childbearing age in Ekiti empirically, the researcher shall evaluate it under the listed variables.
A. Partner’s Attitude
Women decisions to use or not use a contraceptive method are affected by the attitude of their male partners. The result from analysis of 1998 Demographic and Health Survey shows that the proportions of women reporting their spouse’s disapproval, of contraception was smaller among those who had discussed family planning with their husbands than among those who never had done that. Sometimes their perceived idea about their partner disapproval can lead to non-decision (international family planning perspectives 2004).
In some cases, a man’s use or non-use of a method (e.g. condom), may itself be a powerful-non-verbal indicator of approval or non- approval. A part from that, the high regard given to men in determining, the number, the sex and when to children affects contraceptive use by women of childbearing age. (Index medicus Afo. www. Int, 2012).
B. MALE FACTOR OR MALE- CHILD STRUDROM
Oluwumi (1991) contended that the issue of male child syndrome make to continue, impregnation their wives until they get the son they desired. Sampson (2007) in her project “knowledge and attitude of women towards the utilization of family planning services in Akwa Ibom state†fund out that “male-child-syndrome or male-child factor†negates the utilization of family planning. But she further added that findings have revealed that women nowadays are sensible and do not wait for their spouses approval before using contraceptives especially the injectables.
In a typical case study by oral interview survey (2012), Mrs. Etuk in idunglniage, in Eket Local Government Area narrated her story of regular pregnancies for male-child synodrome which resulted in her having thirteen (13) children and jet no male child.
C. Socio-cultural factor: Etuk and Ekanem, (2003) has it that in African tradition, extended family is bound up with numerous cultural practices that favours large families including numerous man powers to cultivate lands and possibilities of wealth acquisition, defense against attacks from enemies. Thus, for a women to walk about limiting the family size is a taboo.
Harkreader and Hogen (2004) stated that cultural background influences individual beliefs, values and customs including entry into the health care systems and personal health practices.
The range of health definitions, practices and beliefs about prevention is viewed differently by various ethnic groups
Agyei (2005) in his demographic and social survey of the attitude of women towards family planning noted that area of residence (rural or urban) strongly influences contraceptive use. According to him, the use of condoms as a behavioural change to prevent pregnancy and avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/ AIDS is low amongst those in the rural community. This it is noted with dismay the school students, but greater knowledge about contraception was found among women with three or more surviving children living the urban areas. Through field survey (2012), it was discovered the use of contraceptive on the grounds that when they give birth their spouses will do everything to give them new clothing’s and other items which normally would not have come.
D. Educational Attainment
Obionu (2001) observed that though there is wide spread information about family planning even among women with no education, favourable response/ attitudes are fund with women who have had post-primary or even higher education background.
Women’s knowledge/education about what affects them, awareness about the role of family planning in family life as well as access to safe/effective methods breeds a favourable attitude towards its utilization.
Ajayi (2004) state that investment in good education is a positive impact on family planning. Idiong, (2012) in her empirical work, contended that the level of education or attitude variables is an function of educational, background and attainment. Thus application of health care services. Cum family planning utilization is a function of educationally-shaped attitude.
2.3 CONCEPTUAL FRAME WORK
2.3.1 Concept of Contraception
Park (2009) defines contraception as the preventive methods to help woman avoid unwanted pregnancies. They include all temporary and permanent measures to prevent pregnancy to prevent pregnancy resulting from coitus. Several methods o f contraceptive have been used for the purpose of controlling fertility. Though many method of contraception are in use the fact remains that each person together with the provider are in the position to weight the risks and the benefits of each method before deciding on which to use.
Page (2012) states that recent technological, advances enable families to choose the timing and how many children they could cater for and to complement the traditional means of contraceptive use. This statement in effect means that there are two main categories of family planning method-traditional and modern methods.
Dalano (1990) has it that birth control is as old as mankind, our fore thers recognized the need for child spacing and so they developed traditional methods which could be used for child spacing. Quite a number of birth control methods were used proving that birth control is nothing new in the world especially in the developing and under developed countries. She further states that are the several ways used ranged from crude method traditional methods. This in essence means that the traditional methods is divided into two the crude methods and the traditional methods.
